Spring structure



June M, 1935. w. A. CLARK sPRINQ STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 18, 19254l ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1935 i UNITED STATES PATENT oFF-ics SPRING STRUCTURE William A. Clark, Detroit,vMich., assigner to L. A. Youlrlig Spring & Wire Corporation, Detroit, Mic

Application August 18, 1934, Serial No. 740,386

16 Claims. (Cl. 155-180) The `main objects of this invention are: Very much wider than the inner arm so that the First, to provide an improved spring structure ledge is substantially spaced from the upper which, although made of comparatively light maedge of the border frame. The border frame is terial, is'rvery rigid and capable of withstanding preferably continuous, being formed of sections :'5 severe usage, and thereby well adapted for trucks, joined together or of one piece bent to suitable 5 buses andthe like. shape and dimensions and the ends joined. I

Second, to provide in a spring structure an imhave not illustrated thejoint or joints. 'proved `means -for securing the upholstery by The cross bars B are disposed on'edge and are which the upholstery is very securely retained provided with saddles "I at their ends terminating lo and at the same time the upholstering operations in hooks 8 engaged Vover the upper edge of 'the l0 are: rapidly performed, even by relatively unborder frame and rigidly or rlXedly secured thereskilled'- workmen. to as by spot welding 9. The saddles have hori- `(Ibjects pertaining to-.details and economies of zontal portions disposed above and in spaced remy invention will denitely appear from the delation to the upholstery supporting ledges 5, 1n scription to follow. vThe invention is dened in this embodiment the saddles are joined to the 15 the claims. I body portions of the cross bars by the quarter 1A structure which embodies the features of my twists l0 and have bendable tongues II struck invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanydownwardly therefrom and also tongues I2. lThe ing drawing, in which: i tonguesl II are upholstery securing tongues and fl FE-y 1 iS al fragmentary plan View 0f 'af Spring the tongues l2 are spring unit securing tongues. 20 CUSI'OHSIHCUIE embdyrlg the fea-tures 0f my Cross pieces i3 are disposed transversely above inVBlSOn, the Springs and uphOlSlely being 00nthe cross bars, these being flat strips having sadventionally illustrated. dles I4 at their ends. These cross pieces have Fig. Zxisan enlarged fragmentary section illusupholstery securing tongues struck down from the '5 trating certain of the upholstering steps. saddles and spring securing tongues correspond- 25 Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on line 3-3 ing to the tongues II and S2 of the cross bars. O Fg- 1 0f a Completed structure. Upon these cross members I arrange a panel Fg-4 is a' Tagmentaly perspective View pal- I5, preferably a sheet of boxboard or fiberboard, tially* in' section* of a modified form or embodithe Spring unit being arranged thereon and sement ofimy inVeIllJOIl'in Which the llIJhOlSeIY iS cured by the tongues I2 as shown in Fig. 3. 30 IJIOVided With a binding and wear plate. The skirt of the upholstery I6 is wrapped around Fis. 5 is a fragmentary Section showing anthe curved bottom of the rim and over theopother form or embodiment of my invention, someholstery supporting ledge. The upholstery what more economical than that shown in Fig. 4 clamping strips `II, which in the embodiment but lacking certain features of advantage of shown in Figs. l, 2 'and 6 are flat strips, are en- 35 that structure. gaged in a fold `in the edge of the upholstery Fig. 6 is'a fragmentary perspective view parand forced intothe space between the supporting tially in'- section of still another modification or ledge and the overhanging portion of the cross embodiment of my invention. strips, and secured by means of the tongues Il 40 In' the embodiment of my invention illustrated which are struck with a hammer and effectively 40 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the body springs I are assem-l clamp the upholstery between the tongues and bledfas a unit, the assembly comprising a border the clamping strips of the outer arm of the borframe 2. The connections for the spring in the der framevpas is clearly shown in the drawing. assemblyY and the connections for the springs to The upholstery is thus secured by a combined the border frame are not illustrated as assemblies clampingV and snubbing action. 45

of this character are well known in the art, de- In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and signed to be mounted on wood frames and other 6 the lower edges o f the supporting bars are in Supporting bases. a plane below the plane of the border frame with The bordel frame 3 Of my invention as shown the upholstery wrapped thereon so that the cushinthe embodiments of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and also ion is supported by these bars. 1n the embodithat ofy Figliis formed ofia strip of` metal disment shown in Fig. 4 lthe clamping strips I9 posed vertioallyand having anv inturned curved are conformed from sheet metal in a general ange 4. at .its lower edge providing an upholfiigure 5 shape providing a channel shaped part sterysupporting ledge 5; or, otherwise stated, this 20 which embraces the upholstery folded around Vstrip-fis of U4 cross section with the outer arm the inturned flange portion of the rim, clamping 5'5 it over the supporting ledge and around the ilange and providing a wear plate and supporting means for the structure. The clamping tongues 2| corresponding to the clamping tongues I I are clamped against the inner side of this upholstery retaining strip I9, the parts being otherwise as shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the border frame 22 is provided with a straight inturned flange 23 providing a support for the upholstery and on which the upholstery is clamped by the U-shaped strip 24, which also constitutes a binding member or wear plate, although in this embodiment the cross strips 6 extend below theA plane of the rim. The cross strips are provided with retaining tongues 2| for the strip.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 the upper edge of the border frame 25 is folded downwardly at 2G upon the vertical portion and thence bent inwardly to provide a horizontal portion 2l overhanging the supporting ledge 5. The edge of this horizontal portion is bent downwardly at 28 so that after the clamping strip is inserted this downturned portion 28 may be crimped or bent at intervals, as at 29, to retain the upholstery clamping strip.

My improved spring structure is exceedingly rigid, the cross pieces serving to effectively brace and support the rim. The rim is economical in material and easily formed. ^rThe parts may be very quickly and easily assembled, even by unskilled workmen.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other modifications or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a spring cushion struoture, the combination of a border frame of U cross section, the inner arm of the border frame being relatively narrow and providing an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge of the outer arm, flat cross bars disposed on edge with their lower edges below the plane of the bottom of the border frame and constituting supports and having saddles at their ends joined thereto by quarter twists and engaged over the upper edge of the border frame and secured thereto, the saddles having horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the upholstery supportingledge of the border frame, such horizontal portions having upholstery se-` curing tongues struck downwardly therefrom, ilat cross pieces disposed horizontally and transversely above said cross bars and having saddles at their ends engaged over the upper edge of the outer arm of the border frame and xedly secured thereto and having upholstery securing tongues struck downwardly therefrom, a bottom panel larranged upon said cross bars and cross pieces, a body spring unit including 4a border frame arranged on said bottom panel,.said cross bars and cross pieces having integral tongues clamped upon `the border frame of said spring unit, flat upholstery clamping strips, and upholstery having its edges disposed around the bottom edge of the border frame and around said clamping strips, the clampingstrips with the upholstery therearound being disposed horizontally above .the upholstery supporting ledge of said border frame and the upholstery clamping tongues being clamped thereon whereby the upper edge of the outer arm ofthe bordel' frame' and secured thereto, the saddles having horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the upholstery supporting ledge of the border frame, such horizontal portions having upholstery securing tongues struck downwardly therefrom, at 'cross pieces disposed horizontally and transversely above said cross bars and having vsaddles at their ends engaged over the upper edge oi' the outer arm of the border frame and xedly secured thereto and having upholstery securing tongues struck downwardly therefrom,l a bottom panel arranged upon saidcross bars and :cross pieces, a body spring unit includingv a border frame arranged on said bottom panel, said cross bars and cross 'pieces having integral .tongues clamped upon the border frame of said spring unit, ilat upholstery clamping strips, and upholstery yhaving its edges disposed-around-:the bottom edge of the border frameand around said clamping strips, the clamping strips with the up.- holstery therearound being disposed horizontally above the upholstery supporting ledge off-said border frame and the upholsteryv 'clamping tongues being .clamped thereon whereby the upholstery is securely held by the clamping and snubbing engagement of the associatedparts.1'`

3.. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame of U cross'section, the inner arm of the border frame being relatively narrow and providing an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge of the outer` arm, cross bars having saddles Iat their ends engaged over the upper edge `ofthe outer arm of the border frame and secured thereto, the saddles having portions disposed'abovc and in spaced relation to the upholstery supporting ledge of the border frame and having upholstery securing tongues struck therefrom, cross pieces disposed transverselyl above said cross bars and having saddles vat their ends engaged over the upper edge of the outer arm of the" border frame and xedly secured thereto and having upholstery securing tongues struck downwardly therefrom, body springs supported by said cross bars, at upholstery clamping strips, and upholstery having its edges disposed around-the bottom edge of the border frame and around said clamping strips, the clamping strips with the upholstery therearound being disposedhorizontally above the'upholstery supporting ledge ,of said border frame and the upholstery. clamping tongues being clamped thereon whereby the upholstery is securely held by the clampingv and snubbing engagement of the associated parts.

4. In a spring cushion structure, the combina tion of a' border frame of U cross section, the inner arm of the border trarne being relatively narrow and providing an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge of 'the outer arm, Ilat cross bars disposed on edge 'and having saddles at their ends joined thereby vby quarter twists and ixedly secured.to.the outer arm of said border frame, the saddles' having horizontal portions disposed above and in yspaced relation to the upholstery supporting yledgegof the border frame, such horizontal portions having upholstery securing' tongues struck downwardly therefrom, 'fiat cross Apieces disposed transversely above. said cross `bars and having saddles'at Vtheir ends engagedover the upper edge of. the outer arm of :the border frame and having upholstery securing' tongues struck downwardly therefrom, aV bottom `spring unit including a -border frame carried Aby said `cross bars, 'said cross fbars and cross pieces having integral tongues clamped upon the border frame ofY said spring unit, upholstery clamping strips, and upholstery having itsv edges disposed `around the bottom edge of the border frame and around said clamping strips, the clamping strips with the upholstery therearoundl being disposed horizontally above the upholstery supporting ledge of said border frame and the upholstery clamping tongues being clamped thereon-whereby the upholstery is securely held by the clamping and snubbing engagement of. the 'associated parts.

`il. In a spring cushion structure, the combinationoffa border frame of U cross section, the inner arm of the` bordery frame being relatively narrow an'd providing-an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge ofthe 4outer arm, cross bars having their ends secured Yto the outer arm of said border frame, the bars having portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the upholstery supporting ledge of` the border frame, said portions having upholstery securing tongues struck therefrom, upholstery clamping strips, and `upholstery having its edges disposed around the bottom edge of the'border' frame and around said clamping strips the clamping strips with the upholstery therearound being disposed horizontally above the upholstery supporting ledge of said border frame and the upholstery clamping tongues being clamped thereon whereby the upholstery is securelyheld by the clamping and snubbing engagement'of the associated parts.

6. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned curved flange at its lower edge providing an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge of the border frame, cross bars disposed on edge and havingsaddles at their ends secured to the borderframe and provided ywith horizontal portions 'disposed above and in spaced relation to said upholstery supporting ledge, said horizontal portions having integral `upholstery clamping' tongues, cross pieces disposed transversely above said cross bars and secured to the saidibo-rder frame and having integral upholstery securing tongues, upholstery having its edge wrapped around the bottom of said border frame and over said supporting ledge, and upholstery. clamping strips projecting between said supporting ledge and the said cross bars and cross pieces in clamping engagement with the upholstery arranged therearound, said upholstery clamping tongues being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips, the upholstery clamping strips having channel portions Y embracing the inturned portion of said border frame and projecting below the border frame to constitute a binding and guard for the upholstery.

'7. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned flange at its lower edge, cross bars having their ends secured to the border frame, said cross bars having integral upholstery clamping tongues, cross pieces disposed transversely above said cross bars and secured to said border frame and `having integral vupholstery securing tongues, `upholstery having its edge wrapped around the bottom of said border frame and over said supporting ledge,

and upholstery clamping strips lprojecting between said'supporting ledge and said cross bars and cross pieces in clamping engagement with the upholstery arranged therearound, said upholstery clamping tongues being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips, the upholstery clamping strips having channel portions embracing the inturned portion of said border frame and projecting below the border frame to constitute a binding and guard for the upholstery.

8. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned curved flange at its lower edge providing an upholstery supporting ledge substantially spaced from the upper edge of the border' frame, cross bars disposed on edge and having saddles at their ends secured to the border frame and provided with horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to said upholstery supporting ledge, said horizontal portions having integral upholstery clamping tongues, cross pieces disposed transversely above said cross bars and secured to the said border frame and having integral upholstery securing tongues, upholstery having its edge wrapped around the bottom of said border frame and over said supporting ledge, and upholstery clamping strips projecting between said supporting ledge and said cross bars and cross pieces in clamping engagementJ with the upholstery arranged therearound, said upholstery clamping tongues being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips.

9. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of aborder frame having an inturned flange at its lower edge, cross bars having then' ends secured to the border frame, said cross bars having integral upholstery clamping tongues,I cross piecesdisposed transversely above said cross bars and secured to the said border frame and having integral upholstery securing tongues, upholstery having its edge wrapped around the bottom of said border frame and over said supporting ledge, and upholstery clamping strips projecting between said supporting ledge and said cross bars and cross pieces in clamping engagement `with the upholstery arranged therearound, said upholstery clamping tongues being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips.

l0. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned flange at its lower edge, cross bars disposed on edge and having saddles at their endsjoine'd thereby by quarter twists and engaged over the upper edge of the border frame and xedly secured thereto, the saddles having upholstery clamping tongues and spring unit clamping tongues integral therewith, a spring unit arranged on said cross bars and comprising a border frame with which said spring unit clamping tongues are engaged, upholstery having its edges disposed around the bottom of the border frame and around its said inturned ange, and a lJ shaped upholstery securing strip embracing said flange and the upholstery wrapped thereon, the upholstery clamping tongues'of said cross bars being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips, the upholstery clamping strips constituting binding and wear members for the upholstery.

ll. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned flange -lJI at its lower edge, cross members having upholstery clamping tongues integral therewith, upholstery having its edges disposed around the bottom of the border frame and around its said inturned flange, and a U shaped upholstery securing strip embracing said flange and the upholstery wrapped thereon, the upholstery clamping tongues of said cross members being in retaining engagement with said upholstery clamping strips.

12. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned curved ange on its lower edge providing an upholstery supporting ledge, cross bars fixedly secured -to said border frame with portions thereof in spaced relation to said supporting ledge, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom of the border frame and over said supporting ledge, and upholsteryclamping strips disposed between said cross bars and said Supporting ledge and binding ,the upholstery thereon, said cross bars having bendable parts in retaining engagement with said clamping strips, the clamping strips having parts extending below the border frame and constituting a wear plate for the upholstery.

13. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having an inturned curved flange on its lower edge providing an upholstery supporting ledge, cross bars fixedly secured to said border frame with portions thereof in spaced relation to and above saidr supporting ledge, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom of the border frame and over said supporting ledge, and upholstery clamping strips clamped between the said portions of said cross bars and said supporting ledge and binding the upholstery thereon, said cross bars having bendable parts in retaining engagement with said clamping strips.

14. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame of J cross section, the upper edge of the inner arm providing an upholstery supporting ledge, a cross bar having an end saddle engaged over the outer and upper edge of the border frame, the saddle having an upholstery clamping portion in parallel relation with said upholstery supporting ledge, an upholstery clamping member of Figure 5 cross section having its short arm arranged above said upholstery supporting ledge and under said upholstery clamping portion, the long arm depending alongside of and below said border frame, and an upholstery member disposed around the bottom of said border frame, upwardly between the arms of the border frame and upholstery clamping member, outwardly over` the upholstery supporting ledge, around the edge of the short arm of the upholstery clamping member, and inwardly between the upholstery clamping member and said upholstery clamping portion, the latter having a. tongue engaging said upholstery clamping member for holding the same in place.

15. In a spring cushion structure, the combines 'A tion of a border frame of substantially J cross section, the upper edge of the inner arm provid ing an upholstery supporting ledge, a cross bar having an end saddle engaged over the upper edge of they border frame and provided with an upholstery clamping portion disposed for cooperation with Vsaid upholstery supporting ledge,.an upholsteryl clamping member having a horizontal portion disposed above said upholstery support'- ing ledge and a vertical portion depending below said border frame, and an upholsteryr member disposed around the bottom of said border frame, upwardly between they inner arm of the border frame and the depending portion of the upholstery clamping member, outwardly between the upholstery supporting ledge and the horizontal arm of the upholstery clamping member, upwardly around the outer edge of the horizontal portion of the upholstery' clamping member, inwardly between the upholstery clamping portion of the saddle and the horizontal portion of the upholstery `clamping member, and nally 'downwardly around the inner edge of the horizontal portion of the upholstery clamping member, the upholstery clamping portion of the saddle having an Aoutwardly and downwardly extending tongue engaging said upholstery clamping member and acting to hold the same in place. v 16. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame of substantially .lv cross section, the upper edge of the inner arm providing an upholstery supporting ledge, a cross bar having an ren-d saddle engaged over the upper edge of the border frame and provided with an upholstery clamping portion disposed for cooperation with said upholstery supporting ledge, an upholstery clamping member having a horizontal portion disposed above said upholstery supporting ledge and a vertical portion depending below said border frame, and an upholstery member disposed around the bottom of said border frame, upwardly between the border frame and the upholstery clamping member, outwardly between the upholstery supporting ledge and the hori` zontal arm of the upholstery clamping member, upwardly around the outer edge of the upho1-. stery clamping member, inwardly between the upholstery clamping portion of the saddleV and the upholstery clamping member, and iinally downwardly around the inner edge of the upholstery clamping member.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

